STAN LEE - STAN LEE SIGNS UP TO BRANSON'S COMIC EMPIRE

Comic book legend STAN LEE has been recruited to lead SIR RICHARD BRANSON's new team of superheroes.
The former president of the Marvel Comics empire, 85, will edit a series of new Virgin Comics, which will launch in 2009 and feature a collection of new animated heroes.
Lee, who created Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Hulk at Marvel, explains, "It will be a team of 10 heroes and they will be dealing with personality conflicts, personal problems and chemistry within the team.
"I can't give away the details or the names yet, but I have some exciting things in mind."
Branson's Virgin Comics operation has already tasted success with new titles created by celebrities like Dave Stewart, Nicolas Cage, Guy Ritchie and Deepak Chopra. Branson has also brought back vintage comic book hero Dan Dare.
The new Branson/Lee venture was officially announced as Lee was honoured with the inaugural New York Comics Legend Award in Times Square on Saturday (19Apr08).
Meanwhile, Lee is also developing a new superhero franchise which he hopes to turn into a series of computer-animated films.